Bookmark & Share

YesAsia Editorial Description

Few people have made as big an impact on Korean cinema as Lee Chang Dong in the last ten years. A former novelist and scriptwriter of masterpieces like To the Starry Island, Lee made his debut in 1997 with Green Fish, which is arguably the best Korean gangster film of the last twenty years. Released in 2002, his third film, Oasis, was not only important for Lee himself, but for Korean cinema as a whole, as Moon So Ri's unforgettable performance in the film brought her a prize at the Venice Film Festival, along with one for director Lee.

He's a former convict, she has cerebral palsy. Two outcasts at an isolated desert oasis. Hong Jong Du (Sol Kyung Gu) just got out of prison for a hit and run accident, and when he tries to contact the family of the victim, he meets Han Kong Ju (Moon So Ri), the daughter of the man he apparently killed. At first the two feel uncomfortable, but Kong Ju finds quickly he's the only one who truly respects her, despite the warnings from her family. But can they continue to meet with their families interfering all the time?

True love never runs smooth. Jong-du, who has previous convictions, meets Gong-ju, a woman who has cerebral palsy. He is fascinated by her a first sight. Then he loses control and tries to rape her, stopping only when she faints. To Jong-du's amazement, Gong-ju then calls him and invites him to visit again. After series of secret meetings, the handicapped woman and the feckless young man fall in love. However their love is not accepted by anyone else. Director Lee's humanitarian plea for tolerance is one of the most touching films of the decade, and Moon So-ri's flawless portrayal on the role is a key of the film success.

Additional Information may be provided by the manufacturer, supplier, or a third party, and may be in its original language

YumCha! Asian Entertainment Reviews and Features

Professional Review of "Oasis (Hong Kong Version)"

Oasis, along with Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Chihwaseon, is one of the most anticipated Korean films in 2002. It won four awards at the Venice Film Festival and the lead actress Moon So-Ri is the winner of this year's Blue Dragon new actress award.

For the general audience, the focus of this movie is usually the cast, with Sol Kyung-Gu as a young man who is just released from jail and is considered a shame by the family, and Moon So-Ri as a physically handicapped girl who is suffering from serious cramp. Jong-Du (Sol) comes across Gong-Ju (Moon) in an unexpected encounter and he soon forms a strange kind of affection for her. Without the awareness of their families, a clandestine love relationship gradually develops between the two of them... A bizarre love relationship is actually not a very explosive subject, early in this year, Kim Gi-Duk's Bad Guy has already demonstrated the power of sadistic love. Nevertheless, director Lee Chang-Dong's approach is very different from Kim Gi-Duk. He is not an exotic and surrealistic stylist, his style leans more towards the realist school in which a solid and realistic drama structure is stressed.

The two protagonists in this film are very similar, both of them are disabled in a certain way and fail to live in this society without the assistance of other people. Jong-Du is unable to find a good job because of his criminal record and his laziness; Gong-Ju is suffering from cramp that prohibits her from leading a normal life (But she is not mentally handicapped). At first glance, it seems that the director is apathetic for setting up such a forced tragedy, but if you look closely, you will begin to realize that Lee Chang-Dong does actually show genuine emotions towards the characters he designed (He also wrote the script of this movie). His intention of telling this story is to fight for these minorities of the society rather than to tease or ridicule them. The humanitarian attitude of the story should remind you of Japanese master Akira Kurosawa's movies like Red Beard and Dodesukaden. Gong-Ju's tragedy is, to a certain extent, the fault of her ignorant brother. Her brother does not care about her at all. After he is assigned an apartment for the disabled, he leaves her in their dilapidated and shabby apartment and only visits her once a while. That's why he doesn't know Gong-Ju is dating Jong-Du and finally leads to the tragic ending... Jong-Du an Gong-Ju are also discriminated from places to places in the movie. What is introspective is that, their harsh encounters throughout the film are not blatantly performed at all, it is instead a very authentic capture of what is happening around our life in this society every day.

It is no wonder why Sol Kyung-Gu is regarded as the most popular actor in Korea right now. His range and acting ability is so diverse that, in the beginning of the year, you still saw his balloon face in Public Enemy, and in this film, he quickly lost more than 30 pounds and transformed himself into an underweighted young man, and in both movies his roles are equally attractive and impressive. Moon So-Ri as the disabled girl is also flawless. I especially like the several scenes in which she acts like a normal girl and has some funny moments with Jong-Du. These scenes are probably her imagination.

Oasis is a very solid drama that reflects reality in an honest manner. For the minority groups like Gong-Ju and Jong-Du, living in this harsh society is just like being trapped in a hot desert. To find happiness in their life is equal to the odd of finding an oasis in the desert...

In the past year, I have watched two films that repeatedly had me weeping and left me with tears of gratitude. It is no accident that both are films directed by Lee Chang Dong, "Oasis" and "Secret Sunshine". Both address difficult subjects of great profundity and tackle them with unsparing honesty.

Hong Jong-du (Sol Kyung Gu) is a three-time loser just released from prison for a charge of involuntary manslaughter. A twitchy bundle of nervous energy, Jong-du is a social misfit and an embarrassment to his family. Han Gong-ju (Moon So Ri) is severely crippled by cerebral palsy, spending her days alone and unloved. Both of them are abused by their families for their own gain.

Jong-du visits Gong-ju's home to apologize; it is Gong-ju's father who had been the victim of the manslaughter. Surprisingly, Jong-du is drawn to Gong-ju, but initially he expresses his attraction inappropriately. Gong-ju encourages the relationship and soon, unknown to the families of either of them, it grows into a true self-sacrificing love.

One evening, after Jong-du has taken Gong-ju for a night on the town, she invites him to stay with her in her apartment. When they are locked in an intimate embrace, Gong-ju's relatives drop in for a visit. All heck breaks loose, with Jong-du ending up under arrest for attempted sexual assault. How director Lee Chang Dong resolves this situation (and the film) is a thing of exquisite beauty.

The performances by Sol Kyung Gu and Moon So Ri will take your breathe away. These are terrific actors at the top of their game. Simply put, "Oasis" is a great work of cinematic art. I give it my highest rating.

Lee Chang Dong did it again! Another beautiful movie since Green Fish and Peppermint Candy! This is most realistic, beautiful movie I have ever seen! Acting is conveinceable! Great acting! Talk about directing! Excellent!!!!!! Every scene is interesting! You just wan tot see more and more! You like romance? This is IT! Very good actors! Two Thumbs Way UP!!!!!

I just finished watching it. It will take you in to a realm that you may be reluctant to go. I was also reluctant at first. However, you will find beyond their disabilities, empathy. For me, it was a journey into a new place that I found value.

I love the acting. I could not take my eyes of each characters in the movie. They took such a presence in every screen. They are two great actors. I found intresting that they shot the film in chronological order. I think this contributes to the continuous flow of mood in the film.

This movie is amazing. It's already over but I want to see even more! The story makes you care for the characters that much. I was hesitant to try this film at first because I thought it might be somewhat unconfortable with her disability, but after hearing all the hype about Oasis, it really lives up to it and then some. There are happy times and sad times, and it's just terrible the way their two families treated such good people. Major credit should go to the two actors because they truly did a phenomenal job. I would recommend this to anyone, everyone has to see it!!